By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The Crestwood School District sent a letter to parents and students addressing a trespasser from out of the district and an altercation that caused an injury Dec. 20.
The former incident, rumored on social media to be an “active shooter,” was debunked by the letter.
Crestwood High School went into a lockdown about 1:45 p.m. after it was discovered a Dearborn student not affiliated with Crestwood entered the building.
“Thanks to the alertness of our staff, this student was recognized as an intruder, administration was alerted and police were contacted,” Crestwood Director of Student Services Menhem Aouad said in the letter.
According to the letter, a review of the security footage showed that a Crestwood student opened the door allowing the Dearborn student into the building. When the cellphones of both students were confiscated, text messages between the two revealed they made arrangements on gaining entrance into the building.
“The intruder was arrested and charged with trespassing,” Aouad wrote. “The lockdown was lifted at approximately 2:20 p.m. The rumors circulating on social media stating ‘gunman’ and ‘active shooter’ incidents at Crestwood High School are not true.”
Earlier in the day, an altercation between two students at Crestwood resulted in one injured student. The student was transported to a local hospital by an ambulance to a local hospital for medical treatment.
“This incident serves as a reminder to all students to refrain from horse play that has the potential of escalating into physical aggression between students resulting in injury,” Aouad said in the letter.
Another student experienced what appeared to be a medical emergency in a school restroom that same day, according to the letter. The rumors circulating on social media indicating the student was assaulted in the restroom were debunked by the letter.
“I want to take a moment to thank our students for their quick thinking a response under stress by alerting administration,” Aouad said. “An emergency call was made requesting medical and police support. The student was transported to a local hospital for medical care.”
Aouad continued to say that the administration will continue to investigate the incidents and students involved in the altercation as well as the one involved in the intrusion will addressed at an administrative and disciplinary level.
“First, please note that student safety and security are among our top priorities,” the letter read. “Administration, staff, and students are continuing to discuss school safety in light of current events involving schools.
“Second, I want to commend out staff and students for their alter ness, quick response, and cooperation. Established safety protocols were swiftly implemented.”
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)